Summer 2024 STOHN Newsletter
The South Texas Oral Health Network (STOHN) is recruiting dental practitioners and dental hygienists for a new Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Questionnaire (KAPQ) Regarding Bruxism Study. The study was generated by Dr. Frank Lobbezoo (Bruxism expert at the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam) and Dr. Rahma Mungia, the Director of STOHN. This study aims to gather an understanding of the evolving bruxism paradigm that has undergone fundamental changes in recent years. The overarching goal is to understand and increase dental practitioner knowledge about contemporary bruxism viewpoints.
Our goal is to have 200 completed surveys from dental practitioners and hygienists within STOHN and other dental networks. If you belong to a dental association or society, please share this survey with them as well; we would love their input!
Questionnaire Link: https://redcap.link/1i35ui8z
Cheryl Davis, MS, DMD
Dr. Cheryl Davis, MS, DMD is the owner of Cheryl E. Davis, DMD, Family Dentistry located in historic Ellis Alley Enclave. She received her MS in Environmental Toxicology at Prairie View A&M University and her DMD at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, AL. She has served as a General Dental Officer in the United States Air Force, Associate Dentist in private practice, Adjunct Professor of General Biology at Northwest Vista Community College and a Contract Dentist for the Correctional Health Care Services/Bexar County Jail. She has a diverse background in research involving HIV, strep mutans and environmental toxicology which has taught her to think outside of the box when faced with challenging dental treatment. Her current research interests include the effects of diabetes and HIV/AIDs in the oral dentition. Dr. Davis can be reached by E-mail or by calling (210) 212-8707.
Juanita Lozano-Pineda, DDS, MPH
Dr. Juanita Lozano-Pineda is the Associate Dean for External Affairs at the UT Health San Antonio School of dentistry, and Associate Professor in the department of Comprehensive Dentistry. She is a native of Brownsville, Texas, obtained a BA from St. Mary’s University, and is a graduate from The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. She has gained valuable insight and knowledge in dealing with diverse populations and has a strong interest in addressing the needs of underserved populations.
Dr. Pineda’s administrative responsibilities include overseeing external program logistics for the pre- and post-doctoral dental programs. Other duties include application for, and management of, several federal and foundation training grants for various community-based clinical rotations to underserved regions of South Texas and as director of the Hispanic Center of Excellence summer enrichment programs. Teaching experience focuses on risk-based clinical prevention, access to care, clinical rotations to underserved areas of South Texas, and IPE clinical and didactic experiences with nurses and community workers from the South Texas community. Other IPE activities include experiential IPE ergonomics training with Dental, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy students.
Jay Fandel, DMD
Dr. Jay Fandel attended The University of Mississippi, from 1983 to 1986 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He entered the Air Force Dental Corps in July 1991 after receiving his DMD from the University of Mississippi Dental School, in Jackson MS. Dr. Fandel retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel and went into private practice as the owner of Concho Valley Family Dental in San Angelo, TX. While in the Air Force, Dr. Fandel was stationed abroad in Guam, Germany and was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq to support the second Gulf War. As Chief of Dental Services in Iraq, he played a key role in the forensic identification of Uday & Qusay Hussain and other high ranking BAATH party members and responded to numerous mass casualty events including the UN bombing in Baghdad. As a dental professional in the Air Force Dental Corps, he participated in several Humanitarian efforts including Operation Pacific Haven (relocation of Kurdish Refugees) and clean-up efforts after Super Typhoon Paka while stationed in Guam.
Dr. Fandel is a member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, past president of the West Texas AGD (where he was nominated for Dentist of the Year 2021), American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, International Dental Implant Association, International Academy of Mini Implants and the local San Angelo District Dental Society
Salma Siddiqui, DDS
Dr. Salma Siddiqui is a dedicated DDS, MPH, and BDS dentist with over two decades of experience in providing compassionate dental care to her community. Armed with a dual degree in Dentistry and Public Health, Dr. Siddiqui has always been passionate about addressing healthcare disparities and serving patients who rely on Medicaid and Medicare for their healthcare needs. She firmly believes in the importance of these government programs in bridging the gap in healthcare access and providing essential services to the elderly, low-income families and individuals with disabilities. At her clinics, Dr. Siddiqui ensures that her patients receive comprehensive dental care tailored to their individual needs through informed consent. She can be contacted by email HERE.
Current Studies:
Smokeless Tobacco Practitioner Focus Groups:
STOHN, in partnership with the El Bari Community Health Center, are holding focus groups with practitioners who treat those who use smokeless tobacco. We aim to recruit 20 practitioners who will participate in a survey along with a Focus Group lasting 1 hour. The goal of this study is to produce culturally appropriate educational materials on cessation techniques that will fill the knowledge gaps and reduce the use of smokeless tobacco in the community. The results of this study hope to make cessation materials available to anyone in the community, regardless of language or culture. Please reach out to Caitlin Sangdahl HERE if you are interested in participating!